Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) module, system and method of acknowledging data transmissions for TPMS

ABSTRACT

A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and TPMS sensor module are provide. The TPMS sensor module includes a pressure sensor configured to measure an internal air pressure of a tire and generate tire pressure information, a microcontroller unit electrically connected to the pressure sensor, and a transceiver electrically connected to the microcontroller unit, the transceiver configured to transmit a message including the pressure information, further configured to receive an acknowledgement in response to the transmitted message. Where, on a condition that the transceiver receives the acknowledgement, the microcontroller unit is configured to set the transceiver into a standby mode, and, where, on a condition that the transceiver does not receive the acknowledgement, the microcontroller unit is configured to instruct the transceiver to transmit a redundant message that is redundant to the transmitted message, and the transceiver is configured to transmit the redundant message.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a tire pressure monitoringsystem (TPMS) and, more particularly, to acknowledging datatransmissions in a TPMS.

BACKGROUND

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) play an important role invehicle safety and emissions reduction. A majority of this market isserved by direct tire pressure monitoring systems, in which each tirecontains a TPMS sensor module. Thus, a battery powered sensor module isassembled in the inside of a tire to monitor a tire pressure thereof.The sensor module contains a pressure sensor, a microcontroller, aradio-frequency (RF) transmitter and a coin battery cell. Principally,the sensor module measures the tire pressure and uses a unidirectionallink to transmit the measurement data to a central unit in the vehicle.Since battery cannot be changed, sensor module lifetime is determined bybattery lifetime. A major portion of the power consumption is generatedby the RF transmission. Hence, it is an important task to reduce powerconsumption for RF transmission as much as possible.

For reducing power consumption of RF transmission two strategies exist:(1) choose a transmission interval as long as possible depending onsituation (e.g., transmit every 10 minutes in parking but every 10seconds while driving), or (2) only transmit when a change of pressurehas been detected. The main problem with these strategies is theunidirectional link between tire module and vehicle control unit. Inthis case, the sensor module does not receive any feedback whether thetransmitted data have been received or not. This is solved bytransmitting data redundantly, e.g., repeating the telegram two or moretimes spaced by fixed and/or random pauses, without knowing whether atransmission has succeeded. The redundant transmissions increase powerconsumption considerably.

Therefore, an improved sensor module capable of reducing powerconsumption may be desirable.

SUMMARY

Embodiments provide apparatuses, methods and systems for acknowledgingtransmissions in a Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS).

According to an embodiment, a TPMS sensor module includes a pressuresensor configured to measure an internal air pressure of a tire andgenerate tire pressure information; a microcontroller unit electricallyconnected to the pressure sensor; and a transceiver electricallyconnected to the microcontroller unit, the transceiver configured totransmit a message including the pressure information, furtherconfigured to receive an acknowledgement in response to the transmittedmessage. On a condition that the transceiver receives theacknowledgement, the microcontroller unit is configured to set thetransceiver into a standby mode, and, on a condition that thetransceiver does not receive the acknowledgement, the microcontrollerunit is configured to instruct the transceiver to transmit a redundantmessage that is redundant to the transmitted message, and thetransceiver is configured to transmit the redundant message.

According to another embodiment, TPMS includes a TPMS sensor moduleincluding a first transceiver configured to transmit a message includingtire pressure information; and a vehicle control unit including a secondtransceiver configured to receive the message, and further configured totransmit an acknowledgement in response to the received message. On acondition that the first transceiver receives the acknowledgement, theTPMS sensor module is configured to set the first transceiver into astandby mode, and, on a condition that the first transceiver does notreceive the acknowledgement, the TPMS sensor module is configured toinstruct the first transceiver to transmit a redundant message that isredundant to the transmitted message, and the first transceiver isconfigured to transmit the redundant message to the vehicle controlunit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are described herein making reference to the appendeddrawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a monolithic TPMS sensor module according to one ormore embodiments;

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate a TPMS provided in a vehicle according to one ormore embodiments;

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a bidirectional communication link in a TPMSaccording to one or more embodiments; and

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method implemented in a TPMS operating ina Bluetooth advertising mode according to one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, a plurality of details are set forth to provide a morethorough explanation of the exemplary embodiments. However, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-knownstructures and devices are shown in block diagram form or in a schematicview rather than in detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.In addition, features of the different embodiments described hereinaftermay be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.

Further, equivalent or like elements or elements with equivalent or likefunctionality are denoted in the following description with equivalentor like reference numerals. As the same or functionally equivalentelements are given the same reference numbers in the figures, a repeateddescription for elements provided with the same reference numbers may beomitted. Hence, descriptions provided for elements having the same orlike reference numbers are mutually exchangeable.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directlyconnected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyconnected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are nointervening elements present. Other words used to describe therelationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion(e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directlyadjacent,” etc.).

In embodiments described herein or shown in the drawings, any directelectrical connection or coupling, i.e., any connection or couplingwithout additional intervening elements, may also be implemented by anindirect connection or coupling, i.e., a connection or coupling with oneor more additional intervening elements, or vice versa, as long as thegeneral purpose of the connection or coupling, for example, to transmita certain kind of signal or to transmit a certain kind of information,is essentially maintained. Features from different embodiments may becombined to form further embodiments. For example, variations ormodifications described with respect to one of the embodiments may alsobe applicable to other embodiments unless noted to the contrary.

Embodiments relate to sensors and sensor systems, and to obtaininginformation about sensors and sensor systems. A sensor may refer to acomponent which converts a physical quantity to be measured to anelectric signal, for example, a current signal or a voltage signal. Thephysical quantity may for example comprise a magnetic field (e.g., theEarth's magnetic field), an electric field, a pressure, an acceleration,a temperature, a force, a current, or a voltage, but is not limitedthereto. A sensor device, as described herein, may be an angle sensor, alinear position sensor, a speed sensor, motion sensor, a pressuresensor, acceleration sensor, temperature sensor, and the like.

A magnetic field sensor, for example, includes one or more magneticfield sensor elements that measure one or more characteristics of amagnetic field (e.g., an amount of magnetic field flux density, a fieldstrength, a field angle, a field direction, a field orientation, etc.)corresponding to detecting and/or measuring the magnetic field patternof an element that generates the magnetic field (e.g., a magnet, acurrent-carrying conductor (e.g. a wire), the Earth, or other magneticfield source).

A sensor circuit may be referred to as a signal processing circuitand/or a signal conditioning circuit that receives the signal (i.e.,sensor signal) from the pressure field sensor element in the form of rawmeasurement data. The sensor circuit may include an analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC) that converts the analog signal from the pressure sensorto a digital signal. The sensor circuit may also include a digitalsignal processor (DSP) that performs some processing on the digitalsignal (e.g., to prepare tire pressure information for transmission).Therefore, the sensor package comprises a circuit which conditions andamplifies the small signal of the pressure sensor via signal processingand/or conditioning.

Signal conditioning, as used herein, refers to manipulating an analogsignal in such a way that the signal meets the requirements of a nextstage for further processing. Signal conditioning may include convertingfrom analog to digital (e.g., via an analog-to-digital converter),amplification, filtering, converting, biasing, range matching, isolationand any other processes required to make a sensor output suitable forprocessing after conditioning.

According to one or more embodiments, a pressure sensor and a sensorcircuit are both accommodated (i.e., integrated) in the same chippackage (e.g., a plastic encapsulated package, such as leaded package orleadless package, or a surface mounted device (SMD)-package). This chippackage is also referred to as sensor package. The sensor package may becombined with other components to form a sensor module, sensor device,or the like.

A sensor device, as used herein, may refer to a device which includes asensor and sensor circuit as described above. A sensor device may beintegrated on a single semiconductor die (e.g., silicon die or chip),although, in other embodiments, a plurality of dies may be used forimplementing a sensor device. Thus, the sensor and the sensor circuitare disposed on either the same semiconductor die or on multiple dies inthe same package. For example, the sensor might be on one die and thesensor circuit on another die such that they are electrically connectedto each other within the package. In this case, the dies may becomprised of the same or different semiconductor materials, such as GaAsand Si, or the sensor might be sputtered to a ceramic or glass platelet,which is not a semiconductor.

FIG. 1 illustrates a monolithic TPMS sensor module 100 according to oneor more embodiments. The TPMS sensor module 100 is a direct TPMS sensormounted inside a tire. A pressure sensor 11 can be incorporated as partof a typical semiconductor technology, and may be amicroelectromechanical systems (MEMS) pressure sensor 11. Therefore, thepressure sensor 11 can enable the TPMS sensor 100, which includes thepressure sensor 11, a microcontroller unit (MCU) 12, and a transceiver13, to aid in monitoring tire pressure. The pressure sensor 11 iselectrically connected to the MCU 12 and configured to measure theinternal air pressure of a tire. The TPMS sensor module 100 may alsoinclude an acceleration sensor 14 electrically connected to the MCU 12and configured to detect and/or measure an acceleration of the tire(e.g., for detecting a motion of a vehicle). A power supply 15 (e.g., abattery cell) is further provided to supply power to the TPMS sensor 100and its components.

The MCU 12 receives tire pressure information in the form of measurementvalues from the pressure sensor 11, and processes the information. TheMCU 12 may store the tire pressure information and/or prepare the tirepressure information by the transceiver 13. The MCU 12 may furtherreceive acceleration information from the acceleration sensor 14.

The transceiver 13 may be configured for bidirectional communicationsuch that it both receives information (e.g., configuration information,control information, acknowledgement information) and transmitsinformation (e.g., tire pressure information, acceleration information,etc.). For example, the transceiver 13 may be a Bluetooth transceiverthat may use Bluetooth low energy (BLE) signals for communication. Thetransceiver 13 may be configured to communicate with a vehicleelectronic control unit (ECU), a setting tool, a diagnostic and testingtool, a mobile device, or the like. A mobile device may be a cell phone.

The MCU 12, is configured to receive signals from one or more componentsof the TPMS sensor module 100 (e.g., sensor signals from the pressuresensor or the acceleration sensor), process the received signals andcontrol the components via control signals. The MCU 12 may furtherinclude one or more memory devices or be electrically connected to oneor more memory devices provided in the TPMS sensor module 100.

The transceiver 13 is electrically connected to the MCU 12 and isconfigured to transmit a signal to the vehicle ECU, the setting tool,the diagnostic and testing tool, or mobile device. The transceiver 13may transmit a signal (e.g., data and/or feedback information) to thevehicle ECU, the setting tool, the diagnostic and testing tool, or themobile device in response to the transceiver 13 receiving data in theform of information, acknowledgement, or a command from the vehicle ECU,the setting tool, the diagnostic and testing tool, or mobile device.

While not shown in FIG. 1, the TPMS sensor module 100 may furtherinclude a temperature sensor electrically connected to the MCU 12 andconfigured to measure the internal temperature of the tire, and amagnetic sensor electrically connected to the MCU 12 and configured tomeasure a magnetic field impinging thereon and generate magnetic fieldinformation. Thus, the MCU 12 may receive sensor information from anysensor provided in the TPMS sensor module 100.

While the TPMS sensor module 100 is illustrated as a monolithic device(i.e., single die integration), it will be understood that one or morecomponents (e.g., the transceiver 13) may be provided on a separate dieinside the integrated circuit package of the TPMS sensor module 100.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate a TPMS provided in a vehicle 200 according to oneor more embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2A, the TPMS includes an ECU 21and TPMS modules 22 provided inside each tire 23 of the vehicle 200.Each TPMS module 22 has a similar configuration described in FIG. 1. Inaddition, each TPMS module 22 may have an identifier (ID) that uniquelycorresponds thereto. In this way the ECU 21 may be able to distinguishsignals transmitted from various TPMS modules 22 and identify the TPMSmodule 22 from which a signal originates.

According to FIG. 2B, the TPMS modules 22 are configured to transmitsignals (e.g., Bluetooth signals) to the ECU 21. Furthermore, as shownin FIG. 2C, the ECU 21, also configured with a (Bluetooth) transceiver,is configured to transmit signals (e.g., Bluetooth signals) to one ormore of the TPMS modules 22.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a bidirectional communication link in a TPMSaccording to one or more embodiments. In particular, FIGS. 3A and 3Billustrate a vehicle control unit 31 in bidirectional communication withmultiple TMPS modules 32 configured with corresponding IDs 1, 2, 3, and4.

FIG. 3A shows that the vehicle control unit 31 includes a Bluetoothtransceiver 33 configured to communicate with one or more of the TMPSmodules 32. Similarly, each TMPS module 32 includes separate chips forthe TPMS portion (i.e., sensing and signal processing) and thetransceiver portion. Thus, each TMPS module 32 includes a TPMS chip 101that is similar to the TPMS sensor module 100 shown in FIG. 1, with theexception of the transceiver 13. Instead, the transceiver 13 is locatedon a Bluetooth chip 13 external to the TPMS chip 101. The TPMS chip 101and the Bluetooth chip 13 may be electrically connected together by aninterface (e.g., Inter-Integrated Circuit (I²C) interface, or the like).

FIG. 3B shows a similar arrangement to that shown in FIG. 3A, with theexception that the TPMS portion (i.e., sensing and signal processing)and the transceiver portion are fully integrated on a single chip. Thus,the TPMS chip 100 is similar to the TMPS sensor module 100 shown in FIG.1.

The Bluetooth standard has an operating mode, referred to as advertisingmode, that when used in a modified manner according to the embodimentsdescribed herein may be used by a TPMS to acknowledge transmissions andhelp eliminate unnecessary redundant transmissions. By doing so, powerconsumption in the TPMS sensor module may be reduced.

In a normal usage of the advertising mode, a first unconnected Bluetoothdevice broadcasts a short message, and then listens for a short timeperiod if a second Bluetooth device acknowledges the broadcast. Thesecond device acknowledges the broadcast if it is willing to connectwith the first device. Then a connection protocol is started. At the endof the connection protocol the two devices are considered paired.

According the embodiments herein, the advertising mode is used in adifferent way. While the TPMS sensor module 32 and the vehicle controlunit 31 are configured in advertising mode, a TPMS sensor module 32 mayobtain sensor information and may be prepared to transmit the sensorinformation in a broadcast message to the vehicle control unit 31. Thebroadcast message may contain a TPMS specific payload of up to 31 bytes.This payload can be used by the TPMS sensor module 32 to transmit thedesired data like tire pressure and tire temperature. In response, thevehicle control unit 31 may be configured to reply with anacknowledgement (ACK). However, the TPMS sensor module 32 may not starta connection protocol but instead sets the Bluetooth transceiver 13 intostandby mode instead. The Bluetooth transceiver 13 may be configured bythe MCU 12 to remain in standby mode for a preset duration or untilanother broadcast is ready for transmission.

On the other hand, if no acknowledgment (ACK) is received by the TPMSsensor module 32 from the vehicle control unit 31, the TPMS sensormodule 32 may determine that the broadcast was unsuccessful afterexpiration of a certain period of time, and attempt again. Thus, theTPMS sensor module 32 is configured to broadcast a redundant message andmonitor for an acknowledgement. The TPMS sensor module 32 may be furtherconfigured to transmit the redundant message after each failed attemptup to a maximum number of repetitions. After each failed attempt, theTPMS sensor module 32 may transmit the redundant message immediately orimpose a first delay period before the next broadcast attempt. After,reaching a maximum number of failed attempts, the TPMS sensor module 32may enter standby mode for a second delay period that is longer than thefirst delay period. After the expiration of the second delay period, theTPMS sensor module 32 may initiate a new broadcast with potentially newor updated sensor information.

The TPMS module 32 may be configured with additional functionality andmay be configured to transmit and/or receive other type of messages ormodified messages.

For example, upon receiving an acknowledgement, the TMPS sensor module32 may enter into a connected mode with a second device (e.g., thevehicle control unit 31 or mobile device). In connected mode, or oncepaired, continuous data transmissions may be transmitted from the TMPSsensor module 32 and/or the second device. This may be useful for TPMSin order to run a tire-filling App on a smart phone in which tirepressure information is continuously transmitted from the TMPS sensormodule 32 to the smart phone to provide a tire pressure status fordisplay on the smart phone. In order not to connect with any smart phonein the vicinity, a TPMS specific code provide in the acknowledgement fora connection request may be needed so that the TMPS sensor module 32knows not to enter standby mode, but instead to override this settingand enter connected mode.

In another example, the vehicle control unit 31 may transmit a requestfor specific data in the acknowledgement message, and the TPMS module 32may obtain and/or transmit the requested data prior to entering standbymode. The TPMS module 32 may also be configured to wait for anacknowledgement to the specific data prior to entering standby mode, orelse transmit a redundant message for the specific data in a similar waydescribed above. The specific data may be, for example, diagnosis data,reading of a mileage counter, etc. For example, the vehicle control unit31 may request additional diagnosis data in case it determinesbroadcasted pressure values are not plausible.

In another example, the acknowledgement transmitted by a device to theTPMS sensor module 32 may include a unique identifier of the device. Forexample, the vehicle control unit 31 may include a unique vehicleidentifier in its acknowledgement. The TPMS sensor module 32 may beconfigured to learn to recognize an identifier, and treat thecorresponding device as a trusted device after receiving the sameidentifier a preset number of times. In this case, the vehicle controlunit 31 may always writes a unique ID into the payload of theacknowledge message and the TPMS sensor module 32 can learn in this ID.This way it is possible for the TPMS sensor module 32 to determinewhether the acknowledgement message is really from the right source.

In still another example, the acknowledgement transmitted by a device tothe TPMS sensor module 32 may include a general TPMS identifier. Thus,instead of a unique vehicle ID, a general identifier for TPMS centralunits could be used. This would enable the TPMS sensor module 32 to atleast recognize TPMS related devices and avoid interference with atleast with non-TPMS devices.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method 400 implemented in a TPMS operatingin a Bluetooth advertising mode according to one or more embodiments. ATPMS sensor module transmits data (operation 405) and determines whetheran ACK has been received during a waiting period (operation 410). If anACK has not been received at the expiration of the waiting period(410—N), the TPMS sensor module returns to operation 405 to retransmitthe data. If an ACK has been received prior to expiration of the waitingperiod (410—Y), the TPMS sensor module enters into standby mode(operation 415).

In view of the above, a TPMS sensor module may include a pressure sensorconfigured to measure an internal air pressure of a tire and generatetire pressure information; a microcontroller unit electrically connectedto the pressure sensor; and a transceiver electrically connected to themicrocontroller unit. The transceiver may be configured to transmit amessage including the pressure information, and may be furtherconfigured to receive an acknowledgement in response to the transmittedmessage. Furthermore, on a condition that the transceiver receives theacknowledgement, the microcontroller unit is configured to set thetransceiver into a standby mode, and, on a condition that thetransceiver does not receive the acknowledgement, the microcontrollerunit is configured to instruct the transceiver to transmit a redundantmessage that is redundant to the transmitted message, and thetransceiver is configured to transmit the redundant message.

It is noted that the transceiver may be a Bluetooth transceiver, and themessage and the acknowledgement are provided in Bluetooth transmissions.However, it will be appreciated that other types of transceivers may beused.

It is also noted that the Bluetooth transceiver may be configured tooperate in a Bluetooth advertising mode for transmitting the message andreceiving the acknowledgement. As a default setting, the microcontrollerunit may be configured to set the transceiver into a standby mode for apredetermined time on the condition that the transceiver receives theacknowledgement. However, the TPMS sensor module may receive specialcommands in the acknowledgement to override entering into the standbymode and instead enter into another communication mode (e.g., connectedmode).

Upon expiration of the predetermined time period, the microcontrollerunit may be configured to enable the transceiver, and the transceivermay be configured to transmit an update message including an update tothe tire pressure information, and further configured to receive anotheracknowledgement in response to the transmitted update message. On acondition that the transceiver receives the other acknowledgement, themicrocontroller unit may be configured to again set the transceiver intothe standby mode. On a condition that the transceiver does not receivethe other acknowledgement, the microcontroller unit may be furtherconfigured to instruct the transceiver to transmit a redundant updatemessage that is redundant to the transmitted update message, and thetransceiver is configured to transmit the redundant update message.

In addition, the transceiver may be configured to transmit the redundantmessage up to a maximum number of times, and, on a condition theacknowledgment is not received in response to the redundant messagetransmitted up to the maximum number of times, the microcontroller unitis configured to disable the transceiver for a delay period.

As described above, the acknowledgement may include a request to enter aconnected mode, and, on a condition that the acknowledgement includesthe request to enter the connected mode, the microcontroller unit may beconfigured to override entering into the standby mode, and instruct thetransceiver to enter the connected mode. The acknowledgement thatincludes the request to enter the connected mode may further include anidentifier that corresponds (is exclusive) to the TPMS sensor module.

Alternatively or additionally, the acknowledgement may include a requestfor data, and, on a condition that the acknowledgement includes therequest for data, the microcontroller unit is configured to overrideentering into the standby mode, and instruct the transceiver to transmitthe data requested.

In addition, the acknowledgement may include an originator identifiercorresponding to an originator of the acknowledgement (e.g., the vehiclecontrol unit 31), and the microcontroller is configured to add theoriginator identifier to a trusted device list.

A system may include a TPMS sensor module including a first transceiverconfigured to transmit a message including tire pressure information;and a vehicle control unit including a second transceiver configured toreceive the message, and further configured to transmit anacknowledgement in response to the received message. On a condition thatthe first transceiver receives the acknowledgement, the TPMS sensormodule may be configured to set the first transceiver into a standbymode. On a condition that the first transceiver does not receive theacknowledgement, the TPMS sensor module may be configured to instructthe first transceiver to transmit a redundant message that is redundantto the transmitted message, and the first transceiver may be configuredto transmit the redundant message to the vehicle control unit.

The first transceiver and the second transceiver may be Bluetoothtransceivers configured to communicate with each other via Bluetoothtransmissions. However, it will be appreciated that other types oftransceivers may be used.

The first transceiver and the second transceiver may be configured tooperate in a Bluetooth advertising mode for exchanging the message andthe acknowledgement.

On the condition that the first transceiver receives theacknowledgement, the TPMS sensor module may be configured to set thefirst transceiver into the standby mode for a predetermined time period.Upon expiration of the predetermined time period, the TPMS sensor modulemay be configured to enable the first transceiver, and the firsttransceiver may be configured to transmit an update message including anupdate to the tire pressure information. The second transceiver may beconfigured to receive the update message, and may be further configuredto transmit another acknowledgement in response to the received updatemessage. On a condition that the first transceiver receives the otheracknowledgement, the TPMS sensor module may be configured to set thefirst transceiver into the standby mode. On a condition that the firsttransceiver does not receive the other acknowledgement, the TPMS sensormodule may be configured to instruct the first transceiver to transmit aredundant update message that is redundant to the transmitted updatemessage, and the first transceiver is configured to transmit theredundant update message.

The first transceiver may be configured to transmit the redundantmessage up to a maximum number of times, and, on a condition the firsttransceiver does not receive the acknowledgment in response to theredundant message transmitted up to the maximum number of times, theTPMS sensor module may be configured to disable the first transceiverfor a delay period.

The acknowledgement may include a request to enter a connected mode,and, on a condition that the acknowledgement includes the request toenter the connected mode, the TPMS sensor module may be configured tooverride entering into the standby mode, and enter into the connectedmode with the vehicle control unit.

The acknowledgement including a request to enter the connected mode mayfurther include an identifier that corresponds (is exclusive) to theTPMS sensor module.

Additionally or alternatively, the acknowledgement may include a requestfor data, and, on a condition that the acknowledgement includes therequest for data, the TPMS sensor module may be configured to overrideentering into the standby mode, and instruct the first transceiver totransmit the data requested to the vehicle control unit.

In addition, the acknowledgement may include an identifier of thevehicle control unit, and the microcontroller may be configured to addthe identifier of the vehicle control unit to a trusted device list.

While various embodiments have been described, it will be apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments andimplementations are possible within the scope of the disclosure.Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light ofthe attached claims and their equivalents. With regard to the variousfunctions performed by the components or structures described above(assemblies, devices, circuits, systems, etc.), the terms (including areference to a “means”) used to describe such components are intended tocorrespond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component or structurethat performs the specified function of the described component (i.e.,that is functionally equivalent), even if not structurally equivalent tothe disclosed structure that performs the function in the exemplaryimplementations of the invention illustrated herein.

Furthermore, the following claims are hereby incorporated into thedetailed description, where each claim may stand on its own as aseparate example embodiment. While each claim may stand on its own as aseparate example embodiment, it is to be noted that—although a dependentclaim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or moreother claims—other example embodiments may also include a combination ofthe dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent orindependent claim. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it isstated that a specific combination is not intended. Furthermore, it isintended to include also features of a claim to any other independentclaim even if this claim is not directly made dependent to theindependent claim.

It is further to be noted that methods disclosed in the specification orin the claims may be implemented by a device having means for performingeach of the respective acts of these methods, and vice versa where afunction or sting of functions described in context of implemented oneor more devices may be performed as a method.

Further, it is to be understood that the disclosure of multiple acts orfunctions disclosed in the specification or claims may not be construedas to be within the specific order. Therefore, the disclosure ofmultiple acts or functions will not limit these to a particular orderunless such acts or functions are not interchangeable for technicalreasons. Furthermore, in some embodiments a single act may include ormay be broken into multiple sub acts. Such sub acts may be included andpart of the disclosure of this single act unless explicitly excluded.

The techniques described in this disclosure may be implemented, at leastin part, in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.For example, various aspects of the described techniques may beimplemented within one or more processors, including one or moremicroprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), or any other equivalent integrated ordiscrete logic circuitry, as well as any combinations of suchcomponents. The term “processor” or “processing circuitry” may generallyrefer to any of the foregoing logic circuitry, alone or in combinationwith other logic circuitry, or any other equivalent circuitry. A controlunit including hardware may also perform one or more of the techniquesof this disclosure. Such hardware, software, and firmware may beimplemented within the same device or within separate devices to supportthe various techniques described in this disclosure.

Although various exemplary embodiments have been disclosed, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications can be made which will achieve some of the advantages ofthe concepts disclosed herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. It will be obvious to those reasonably skilledin the art that other components performing the same functions may besuitably substituted. It is to be understood that other embodiments maybe utilized and structural or logical changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. It should bementioned that features explained with reference to a specific figuremay be combined with features of other figures, even in those notexplicitly mentioned. Such modifications to the general inventiveconcept are intended to be covered by the appended claims and theirlegal equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensormodule, comprising: a pressure sensor configured to measure an internalair pressure of a tire and generate tire pressure information; amicrocontroller unit electrically connected to the pressure sensor; anda transceiver electrically connected to the microcontroller unit, thetransceiver configured to transmit a message including the pressureinformation, further configured to receive an acknowledgement inresponse to the transmitted message, wherein, on a condition that thetransceiver receives the acknowledgement, the microcontroller unit isconfigured to set the transceiver into a standby mode, and wherein, on acondition that the transceiver does not receive the acknowledgement, themicrocontroller unit is configured to instruct the transceiver totransmit a redundant message that is redundant to the transmittedmessage, and the transceiver is configured to transmit the redundantmessage.
 2. The TPMS sensor module of claim 1, wherein the transceiveris a Bluetooth transceiver, and the message and the acknowledgement areprovided in Bluetooth transmissions.
 3. The TPMS sensor module of claim2, wherein the Bluetooth transceiver configured to operate in aBluetooth advertising mode for transmitting the message and receivingthe acknowledgement.
 4. The TPMS sensor module of claim 1, wherein onthe condition that the transceiver receives the acknowledgement, themicrocontroller unit is configured to set the transceiver into thestandby mode for a predetermined time period.
 5. The TPMS sensor moduleof claim 4, wherein: upon expiration of the predetermined time period,the microcontroller unit is configured to enable the transceiver, andthe transceiver is configured to transmit an update message including anupdate to the tire pressure information, and further configured toreceive another acknowledgement in response to the transmitted updatemessage, wherein, on a condition that the transceiver receives the otheracknowledgement, the microcontroller unit is configured to set thetransceiver into the standby mode, and wherein, on a condition that thetransceiver does not receive the other acknowledgement, themicrocontroller unit is configured to instruct the transceiver totransmit a redundant update message that is redundant to the transmittedupdate message, and the transceiver is configured to transmit theredundant update message.
 6. The TPMS sensor module of claim 1, wherein:the transceiver is configured to transmit the redundant message up to amaximum number of times, and on a condition the acknowledgment is notreceived in response to the redundant message transmitted up to themaximum number of times, the microcontroller unit is configured todisable the transceiver for a delay period.
 7. The TPMS sensor module ofclaim 1, wherein: the acknowledgement includes a request to enter aconnected mode, and on a condition that the acknowledgement includes therequest to enter the connected mode, the microcontroller unit isconfigured to override entering into the standby mode, and instruct thetransceiver to enter the connected mode.
 8. The TPMS sensor module ofclaim 7, wherein the acknowledgement that includes the request to enterthe connected mode further includes an identifier that is exclusive tothe TPMS sensor module.
 9. The TPMS sensor module of claim 1, wherein:the acknowledgement includes a request for data, and on a condition thatthe acknowledgement includes the request for data, the microcontrollerunit is configured to override entering into the standby mode, andinstruct the transceiver to transmit the data requested.
 10. The TPMSsensor module of claim 1, wherein: the acknowledgement includes anoriginator identifier corresponding to an originator of theacknowledgement, and the microcontroller is configured to add theoriginator identifier to a trusted device list.
 11. A tire pressuremonitoring system (TPMS), comprising: a TPMS sensor module including afirst transceiver configured to transmit a message including tirepressure information; a vehicle control unit including a secondtransceiver configured to receive the message, and further configured totransmit an acknowledgement in response to the received message,wherein, on a condition that the first transceiver receives theacknowledgement, the TPMS sensor module is configured to set the firsttransceiver into a standby mode, and wherein, on a condition that thefirst transceiver does not receive the acknowledgement, the TPMS sensormodule is configured to instruct the first transceiver to transmit aredundant message that is redundant to the transmitted message, and thefirst transceiver is configured to transmit the redundant message to thevehicle control unit.
 12. The TPMS of claim 11, wherein the firsttransceiver and the second transceiver are a Bluetooth transceiversconfigured to communicate with each other via Bluetooth transmissions.13. The TPMS of claim 12, wherein the first transceiver and the secondtransceiver are configured to operate in a Bluetooth advertising modefor exchanging the message and the acknowledgement.
 14. The TPMS ofclaim 11, wherein on the condition that the first transceiver receivesthe acknowledgement, the TPMS sensor module is configured to set thefirst transceiver into the standby mode for a predetermined time period.15. The TPMS of claim 14, wherein: upon expiration of the predeterminedtime period, the TPMS sensor module is configured to enable the firsttransceiver, and the first transceiver is configured to transmit anupdate message including an update to the tire pressure information, andthe second transceiver is configured to receive the update message, andfurther configured to transmit another acknowledgement in response tothe received update message, wherein, on a condition that the firsttransceiver receives the other acknowledgement, the TPMS sensor moduleis configured to set the first transceiver into the standby mode, andwherein, on a condition that the first transceiver does not receive theother acknowledgement, the TPMS sensor module is configured to instructthe first transceiver to transmit a redundant update message that isredundant to the transmitted update message, and the first transceiveris configured to transmit the redundant update message.
 16. The TPMS ofclaim 11, wherein: the first transceiver is configured to transmit theredundant message up to a maximum number of times, and on a conditionthe first transceiver does not receive the acknowledgment in response tothe redundant message transmitted up to the maximum number of times, theTPMS sensor module is configured to disable the first transceiver for adelay period.
 17. The TPMS of claim 11, wherein: the acknowledgementincludes a request to enter a connected mode, and on a condition thatthe acknowledgement includes the request to enter the connected mode,the TPMS sensor module is configured to override entering into thestandby mode, and enter into the connected mode with the vehicle controlunit.
 18. The TPMS of claim 17, wherein the acknowledgement thatincludes the request to enter the connected mode further includes anidentifier that is exclusive to the TPMS sensor module.
 19. The TPMS ofclaim 11, wherein: the acknowledgement includes a request for data, andon a condition that the acknowledgement includes the request for data,the TPMS sensor module is configured to override entering into thestandby mode, and instruct the first transceiver to transmit the datarequested to the vehicle control unit.
 20. The TPMS of claim 11,wherein: the acknowledgement includes an identifier of the vehiclecontrol unit, and the microcontroller is configured to add theidentifier of the vehicle control unit to a trusted device list.